Dec 2nd, 2020: Christmas Blessings - God's Faithfulness in Guidance and Companionship
Here is a well-known Chinese proverb: "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." The first step in making a decision is always the hardest. Some people find it hard to decide to commit to a relationship. Some cannot change a habit in their life. Some are reluctant to consider other options for work. Some would not dare to try different kinds of cuisines out of fear.
More than two thousand years ago, a group of learned and influential astrologers had to make a critical decision. These were gifted men in understanding the night-time sky. They saw the star and went to ask King Herod: "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." Sometimes God communicates to us about who He is via our human knowledge.
That was a long journey for them as they went on the search for the child who was born to be king. We don't know how long it took. We have no idea whether they were able to see the star every day. We know that they never lost track of it. Resilience helped them to persevere that journey.
The star might not be physical. Some scholars seem to suggest that the star might be the light manifestation of an angelic creature. These wise men received incredible gifts during that journey to look for Jesus. They are gifts of God's faithful companionship, guidance, and wisdom. They figured out King Herod's wicked plan in their dream and decided to go home a different way.
Would we persevere in using our gift to discover the beauty and the truth of God? and follow Him?
"Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
“‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way." - Matthew 2: 1-12
